1 John

Lesson 71 John Chapter 5:1-21

At the time that I developed this lesson, I was watching the national news. There was a story about a stunning computer chip development, followed by a story highlighting the latest weather tracking technology which predicted that changes in the Pacific Ocean will be the basis for a decade-long impact on our coming weather patterns.

This reminded me of verses referring to Christ's second coming, predicting a rapid increase in knowledge, the love of many growing cold, and the increase in material wealth on a global scale. In particular, both Matthew's and Luke's Gospels record Jesus saying to the Pharisees and the people in the crowds that they could accurately predict the weather, but they could not see the signs of what was really happening and what was to come.

Bible

This week we conclude our study of 1 John by reading and studying Chapter 5. Our focus for this portion of the study will be on (1) how we know that we're saved and (2) the Doctrine of the Trinity. May God bless you as we consider our salvation and the difficult but fundamental doctrine of Christian faith known as the Trinity.

Please read all of 1 John Chapter 5, and then consider your answers to the following questions:

  1. How are we saved? (1 John 5:1, Ephesians 2:8)
  2. Who saves us? (John 3:16)
  3. Who can be saved? (Romans 10:13)
  4. Is believing that God exists enough to save a lost person? Read these two scripture passages: Job 1:1-12 and Luke 4:1-13 and identify who is talking with God and Christ in each of them.) Will believing that God exists save a person?
  5. Are Jesus and God one? (John 10:30,38 and Matthew 1:21-23)
  6. Are Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit one being? (1 John 5:7)
  7. What is it in 1 John 5:1 that John indicates that we are to believe? Is it "believe in Jesus"? Is it "believe in God"? Or is it that we should believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah - the Christ?
  8. How can we know that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Hebrew term) and the Christ (Greek term)? (1 John 5:6-9, Matthew 3:16-17)
  9. In 1 John 5:6-9 John says that three "bear record in heaven that Christ is the Messiah". List who they are, and then list what three things bear witness in earth.
  10. Why did John write Chapter 5? (1 John 5:13-14)

Bonus Question:

  1. The Doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) are all of the same being, i.e., "God is one". It is not just God showing himself in three ways (e.g., a man, for example, can be a father, brother, and husband, and still be one). We can say from our studies that God is our Father and Creator, and that creation was accomplished by and through Jesus who came to earth to pay the price of death for our sin. Furthermore, we can say that, upon His resurrection and ascension into heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to be a comforter, a teacher, and a guardian over us until Christ comes again.

    Therefore, if we believe that all three are one in God, then we can conclude that God created us knowing how we would turn out. And he elected to pay the price of death and blood for our salvation himself, and he is now with us who believe, indwelling in us until the day of the rapture when we all will be called to meet Him in the air. It is a mystery revealed to us through God's Holy Word. The Bible defines the Trinity then, as one divine essence with three eternal distinctions known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An example of this can be seen in John's Gospel, Chapter 1:1-5.

    After considering this difficult doctrine, can you find an example in creation (i.e., man or his surroundings) that might be analogous to the Trinity and/or how it functions?

Have a great week everyone.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

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